Catching up- Part One: Xander

Happy end of 2016! 

I just looked over my blogging history for this year, and I was sad to discover that I only blogged 4 times in the last year!!! Geez, I need to get back on the blogging-bandwagon! 

For Christmas, Tim and my friend, Kary, both bought me books full of journaling/writing prompts! I love to write, so I don't know why I have neglected my blog so much in the last couple of years. It is quite possibly because of "that one year" when I committed to blogging every single day... I think I got a bit burnt out! HA!! But this year, I am going to do it again. Perhaps not EVERY day, but I am going to use these prompt books to give me ideas for posting ... I think those ideas, along with the silliness of my children should keep me busy all year long!! 

One thing that I am sad that I neglected is my love-letters to my kids on their birthdays! I NEED to keep up with those for sure this next year! While it's kinda late for a couple of my munchkins for this year's birthdays, I will post those today along with their 20 questions!! Every year, I ask each of the kids 20 questions about their favorites.... it's fun to see the changes! 

So buckle up and get ready for a long post... a FUN post... and perhaps a sappy post (X4)!

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To Xander, 

I can't believe how much you have grown and changed in the last year. You are growing out of the baby-face little boy into a young man! You are maturing more and more every single day. I am amazed by how responsible you are. People compliment you on a regular basis- you always do what you are asked without complaining. I know that I can rely on you for anything that I need- from something as simple as bringing me a can of Diet Coke to something less-exciting like cleaning up the trash outside that the critters of the night have destroyed!! Your attitude is always wonderful! Thank you so much for always being my helper!

You are in the 5th grade now- which is CRAZY!! You were just born last week, weren't you? Your teachers are (homeroom) Mrs. Murray, (science) Mrs. Carslile, (reading) Mrs. Kilgore, (math) Mrs. Stanfill, and (spelling) Mrs. Kennedy. You are a great student- your teachers all love you! When it was parent/teacher conference time, they didn't feel like they needed to meet with me because you are never any trouble; however, I wanted to meet with them.... I like to know who your teachers are and how you are doing! You are an honor roll student- A's & B's...but even your B's are high!! You studied space this year in science and LOVED it! You came home with new trivia facts about the universe every day, and said you really enjoyed that lesson the most this year so far! 

You recently "broke up" with your first girlfriend, Kealyn. You have been best friends for several years, so last December, you decided that you liked each other as "more than friends." SO you were boyfriend/girlfriend for 11 months.... nobody could believe how long your first relationship lasted! I was very proud of you - you care so much for her. AND when the two of you broke up, you are still best friends! I love how mature you both have been! Who knows....maybe you'll be together again one day? But even if not, I am impressed by this first relationship!

Your best friend, Ace moved to Connecticut in August- you had a rough time finding friends at school since he left. It's been quite a struggle to find yourself and who you are without your buddy! It makes me sad because the people you have been hanging with aren't the best for you; so, I purpose within my heart to pray for you to bring them up to your amazing level rather than letting them bring you down to theirs. You are a great leader, and you love the Lord! I pray that you will continually allow HIS light to shine through you in your school!

I am excited to see what the next year has in store for you! I love you so much, and I am continually amazed by what a great kid you are, and what an amazing young man you are turning out to be!

-Love Mom! 

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20 QUESTIONS

Xander first: Red- 9 years old; Blue- 10 years old; Green- 11 years old

1. Favorite Color:  Red   Red   Red

2. Favorite Toy: Legos  Lego   Pokemon

3. Favorite Fruit:  Apples  Apples   Apples

4. Favorite TV Show: Max Steel  Mighty Med   Lab Rats

5. Favorite Lunch:  Ham  Baked Potato   Eggs in a Basket

6. Favorite Clothes:  Minecraft Shirt   Star Wars shirts   Jammy pants & t-shirt

7. Favorite Game:  Assassin  GoldenEye   Call of Duty

8. Favorite Snack: Blueberry Muffins   Baked Potato   Cinnamon Toast

9. Favorite animal: Giraffe   Lion   Kangaroo

10. Favorite Song: Everything is Awesome   Stitches   Can't Stop the Feeling

11. Favorite Book:  Baby Mouse   Cat in the Hat   Hatchet

12. Best friend:  Abbey & Josh   Josh  Josh and Ace

13. Favorite Cereal:  Corn Pops   Cinnamon Toast Crunch   Corn Pops

14. Favorite thing to do outside: Water guns   Ride my scooter   Ride Bike

15. Favorite drink: Orange Juice   Mountain Dew   Mountain Dew

16. Favorite holiday: Christmas   Christmas   Christmas

17. Favorite thing to have in bed: Pillow  Bear   Legos

18. Favorite breakfast: Chocolate Mint-Chip Donut    Cinnamon Toast Crunch   Eggs in a Basket

19. Favorite Dinner:  Ham   Lasagna   Lasagna

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?: US Army Soldier  US Army Soldier   US Army Soldier